62% of countries report that the web plays a major role in sparking social or political action.

74% of countries are not doing enough to stop online harassment of women.

The index ranked countries around the world in terms of universal access, relevant content and use, freedom and openness and empowerment.

Anne Jellema, chief executive of the World Wide Web Foundation said: "The richer and better educated people are the more benefit they are gaining from the digital revolution.

"Extreme disparities between rich and poor have been rightly identified as the defining challenge of our age, and we need to use technology to fight inequality, not increase it."

Sir Tim Berners Lee added: "It's time to recognise the internet as a basic human right.

"That means guaranteeing affordable access for all, ensuring internet packets are delivered without commercial or political discrimination, and protecting the privacy and freedom of web users regardless of where they live."